Wednesday, January 8th, 2014

Knicks guard J.R. Smith is apparently keeping things loose in the NBA, resorting to playground tactics as he attempts to help pull his team out of a very crowded cellar.1 Twice in the past week, Smith has been caught attempting to untie his opponents’ shoes while at the foul line. Be sure to catch the video.

While this might make you think of Smith as an enjoyable rascal, he’s got a bit of a history of trouble.

The 2013 Sixth Man of the Year has run afoul of the NBA league office on numerous occasions. Back in November, Smith was fined $25,000 for “directing hostile and inappropriate language” toward Pistons guard Brandon Jennings on Twitter. He also missed the first five games of the season because he was serving a suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug program.

Prior to this season, Smith’s suspensions included: 10 games in 2006 for his role in an on-court fight and seven games in 2009 in response to a guilty plea in a reckless driving incident. He was also suspended for three games by the Nuggets in 2007 for his role in an incident at a Denver nightclub.

In addition, Smith drew a $5,000 fine from the NBA for flopping during the 2013 playoffs and a $25,000 fine in 2012 for posting an inappropriate photograph of a woman to his Twitter account.